Connie walked down the hall in search of Jacob. As she neared the the kitchen, she spotted him in there on the phone to someone.
He was facing the wall, but when he turned around and saw Connie approaching the room, he immediately ended his call.
Connie noticed his suspicious behaviour and frowned. She'd caught the last part of the conversation: 'make sure everyone's there by 7'.
"Who needs to be where by 7?" Connie asked Jacob as she entered.
Damn. She'd caught him.
"Er...just all nurses...need to be in the erm staff room by 7 tomorrow morning...briefing?" Jacob cringed inside as he listened to himself stutter out the words. He added a big smile for good measure, hoping she would somehow believe him.
Connie raised her eyebrows in amusement. "Jacob Masters, what are you planning?"
Jacob sighed, realising it was impossible to try and hide it now - there was no way she would let this go until she knew.
"I'm just planning something for your birthday, that's all I'm saying"
"Surprise party?" Connie asked innocently.
Jacob looked at her in disbelief. How did she always do this, how was she always one step ahead of everyone?
He was determined to try and keep at least part of his plan a secret though. "noo..." He lied.
"So it is a surprise party then" Connie said plainly. She could see straight through him.
Jacob shook his head. "Not necessarily..."
But Connie just continued to give him one of her looks. She wasn't buying it.
"Ok, fine, yes. I'm planning a surprise party. Well not so surprise anymore" he admitted.
Connie smiled. "I said I didn't want a big fuss. A quiet night in, just the two of us would have been fine"
Jacob rolled his eyes, he knew she'd react like this. "But it's all organised. The whole department is helping to prepare it, and they're all looking forward to it!"
"But it's really not my thing Jacob... " Connie complained.
"Can you at least pretend to enjoy yourself, just for one night" Jacob pleaded.
Connie let out an exasperated sigh. The idea of a party with the department staff really wasn't something that she was over the moon about, she wasn't particularly friendly with them and she was aware they didn't like her most of the time. She studied Jacob's face and narrowed her eyes. "Is this a punishment? Are you just trying to make me feel bad about forgetting your birthday Jacob?"
Jacob grinned and wrapped his arms around her. "Nah, you definitely made that up to me in the end..."
Connie smirked slightly. "So why are you planning to put me through such torture on my birthday then?"
Jacob chuckled at her serious face. "Stop being such a drama queen. I just wanted to do something special for you and-"
Connie interrupted him "But I don't want a party."
"Tough, you're having one. It's already organised." Jacob told her.
Connie crossed her arms. "I'm not coming then"
Jacob knew her well enough to know that she was being serious, she really wouldn't come if she didn't want to. He gave in. "Fine. I can't exactly force you to come can I." he turned away from her and picked up his phone from the table where he had placed it.
Connie saw his deflated expression. Jacob was trying not to show it, but he was disappointed that she was refusing to come. He had spent a lot of time organising it and had hoped that she would appreciate the thought.
"I guess...I could show my face, try to act surprised" Connie sighed, beginning to regret how unappreciative she was being of his efforts.
Jacob gave her a smile. "Thank you sweetcheeks. Besides, I'm sure we can sneak away once the party is in full swing"
Connie smiled and placed her hands around his neck. "Is that a promise?"
Jacob placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Yes"
Connie's birthday arrived and at the end of their shift, Jacob met Connie outside of her office, then made their way across to the staff room side by side.
Connie had her arms crossed and the look on her face reflected her disinterest.
Jacob smiled in amusement as he observed her sulky attitude.
"Connie" he said.
"What?" Connie snapped, without looking up.
"Remember to smile" Jacob told her.
Connie looked at him and forced her lips into a wide smile. "There, is that enough for you?"
"Much better." Jacob grinned. "Now just try to keep it there for an hour or so"
Connie's smile faded and she let her jaw drop. "An hour?!" She asked, as she immediately stopped walking and turned to face him, her arms still crossed. Connie had been hoping to get away as soon as possible, definitely not wanting to stay for an hour.
"Fine...45 minutes?" Jacob tried.
Connie pushed her tongue in her cheek "more like 5"
Jacob stared at her in disbelief. "You have to stay a bit longer than 5 minutes, it's your party!"
Connie rolled her eyes. "10 minutes then"
Jacob crossed his own arms and returned the glare she was giving him. "20, nothing less" he said.
Connie looked away in defeat and started towards the staff room again. "Let's get this over with then"
Jacob smiled to himself and followed Connie to the staff room.
Just before she pushed open the staff room door, she turned to Jacob who was stood behind her and gave him a quick glare "We're not staying for any more than 20 minutes, got it?" she told him, before turning back around and putting on her best smile.
Connie pretended to be completely surprised when the department staff jumped up and greeted her when she opened the door. She gave a them all a bright smile, only letting it fade when everyone had taken their eyes off her and turned their attention to the food laid out on the tables instead.
Jacob came up behind her. "See that wasn't so bad was it?"
Connie watched the rest of the staff enjoying themselves, laughing with each other. "Hmm."
"Everyone's been putting all of this together for you all day" Jacob gestured to the balloons and happy birthday banners around the room.
"Let's be realistic Jacob, they're all just here for the food" Connie told him. She knew the staff saw her as a cold clinical lead, she had never put much effort into encouraging friendships with any of them.
Jacob opened his mouth to argue but Connie stopped him. "Don't even try to deny it" Connie smiled at him.
Jacob chuckled and checked the time, then looked at the rest of the staff, who were all deep in conversation with each other and enjoying the food.
Jacob leant in to whisper in her ear"I know I said we had to stay for 20 minutes, but, I don't think anyone would notice if we slipped away now. I have a present to give you at home..."
Before he had finished, Connie was already leading him out of the room with a smile on her face.
